Ornamental device with interchangeable magnetically biased member



May 5, 1970 H. B. LEDERER 3,509,734

ORNAMENTAL DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE MAGNETICALLY BIASED MEMBER Filed June 14, 1967 IN VEN T OR.

HENRY ELLEDER-ER United States Patent "ice 3,509,734 ORNAMENTAL DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGE- ABLE MAGNETICALLY BIASED MEMBER Henry B. Lederer, 1781 Bay Blvd., Atlantic Beach, N.Y. 11509 Filed June 14, 1967, Ser. No. 645,985 Int. Cl. A44c 9/00 US. Cl. 63--15 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An ornamental device comprising a base element and ornament element detachably mounted thereto said elements being mutually magnetically attractive, said ornament element having a raised portion adapted to snugly fit a corresponding cavity portion provided in the base element, the ornament element being further provided with at least one pin-like projection adapted to be engaged by a corresponding hole present in the base element whereby to promote structural stability.

The present invention relates in general to a device useful for ornamentation, personal adornment, etc. and in particular to the provision of a detachably mounted assembly of improved structural stability for such puroses.

p Articles of jewelry, personal adornment, etc. structurally adapted to permit the interchange of the jewel portion of the article are of course well-known in the art being described in numerous prior art publications both patent and otherwise. In general, articles of this nature comprise two essential component parts namely, a first base or support member usually equipped with some sort of clasping means permitting fitting attachment to the person, e.g., necklaces, earrings, finger rings, etc. or alternatively to an article of wearing apparel, e.g., tie pins, decorative buttons, brooches, and the like, and a second ornament member adapted to be detachably secured to said support member.

As will be apparent, articles of jewelry of the aforedescribed type serve a number of useful purposes, e.g. personal adornment, customer service, display items, etc. Thus by simply interchanging the ornament element, the wearer is able to vary the overall appearance of the article in accordance with personal requirements of dress as well as to promote harmonization of colors suitable to the wearers taste. In addition, dealers, retailers, etc. are provided with valuable means for enhancing the effectiveness of product display; thus, the detachable mounting feature permits a given piece of jewelry whether setting or ornament to be exhibited to potential customers in a wide variety of aspects since as a pratical matter relatively unlimited base-ornament combinations may be readily and easily fabricated and thus the demands and wishes of the customers more precisely complied with.

Since the ornament member invariably comprises a substance of value which in many instances may be quite significant as would be the case for example with precious and semi-precious stones, it is of utmost importance that the fixed albeit temporary union achieved between the ornament and base be of the requisite tenacity whereby to minimize if not eliminate any possibility of inadvertent or accidental dislodging and thus the risk of loss involved.

Prior attempts to fabricate efiicacious ornamental devices based upon use of temporary and detachable ornamental mountings possessed of the desired structural stability and yet permissive of expeditious interchange of jewel mountings although meritorious in many respects nevertheless leave considerable room for improvement. Thus, devices depending for efficacy upon purely mechanical co-action of the cooperating base and ornament por- 3,509,734 Patented May 5, 1970 tions to achieve stable jointure, e.g., threaded shank and bore members are found to be subject to manifold disadvantages such as relatively high cost of manufacture due to the rather stringent tolerance limitations inherent in the machining operations, difliculties associated with both assembly and disassembly of the device, etc.

More recently, it has been proposed to utilize cooperating support and ornament members which are mutually, magnetically attractive, the magnetic force providing the means necessary for assuring secure engagement of the respective components. Devices fabricated in accordance with this technique are particularly effective from the standpoint of permitting relatively simple removal and thus intersubstitution of the ornament portion since any necessity for restort to the use of special tools for such purposes is obviated.

Despite the several advantages ofifered by ornamental devices having mutually, magnetically attractive component parts, certain problems have nevertheless been presented which for the most part find their genesis in the tendency of the mounted assembly to separate under conditions which may well be encountered during but normal circumstances of use or wear. This is primarily due to the fact that the ornament portion may be dislodged in relatively easy fashion by accidental application of force, i.e., any disturbance which tends even to tip the ornament element although the latter be situated within its setting confines. In order to minimize the possibility of such eventuality, it has proved necessary to impose rather exacting and burdensome restrictions on the design of the ornament element. For example, should the ornament design be such as not to preclude access to an underside thereof in mounted position, the distinct possibility arises that inadvertent dislodging of the ornament member may occur. Thus, in the case of tie clips, pins, cuiflinks and the like the ornament is quite likely to come into frictional contact with an article of clothing. Conceivably, loss may occur should the ornament become snagged or otherwise entangled with even a loose thread. A like situation may result solely by virtue of the ornament design, i.e., mostly any design which presents an edge, corner, facet, etc. providing an accessible area. As will be readily obvious the same risk of loss is inherently involved should the ornamental device be provided in the form of earrings; thus snagging of the ornament portion by protruding hair-pins, bobby-pins, hair combs, etc. or alternatively, the mere act of combing the hair may be sufficiently disruptive to cause dislodging of the ornament.

The foregoing situation often tends to prove self-defeating. Thus, any structural innovation specifically designed to minimize the possibility of inadvertent jewel dislodging necessarily entails a corresponding increase in the difiiculties associated with ornament removal. In many instances, removal of the ornament element can be accomplished only with the use of auxiliary means, e.g. a sharp instrument which may be a fingernail, pin or equivalent means.

It will also be recognized that with many ornamental devices directional orientation of the ornamental indicia is a factor of paramount importance and thus stability of the ornament against rotation within its setting becomes a matter of vial concern. Such is the case for example with ornamental devices bearing a signet, monogram or other similar indicia; however, the ornamental devices thus far promulgated in the art and based upon the use of mutually magnetically attractive elements to accomplish the desired temporary union have proved to be notably deficient in this particular area. This situation obtains since the strength of magnetic attraction is not such as to preclude rotation of the ornament element with a minimum effort.

In accordance with the discovery forming the basis of the present invention it has been ascertained that the structural integrity of detachably mounted ornamental devices may be enhanced to a surprising extent by relatively simple means whereby to afford maximum protection against inadvertent rotation or dislodging of the ornamental device.

Thus, a primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of detachably mounted ornamental devices fabricated from mutually magnetically attracta'ble base and ornament elements which are not subject to one or more of the aforedescribed disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of detachably mounted ornamental devices which exhibit improved structural stability, i.e., exhibit improved resistance to inadvertent dislodging or rotation of the ornament element within its setting.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of detachamly mounted ornamental devices uniquely and advantageously adapted for use in the manufacture of finger rings, earrings, brooches, pins, tie clasps, cufflinks, as well as other decorative articles of personal or impersonal nature whether designed to serve an ornamental and/or functional purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter as the description proceeds.

The attainment of the foregoing and related objects is made possible in accordance with the present invention which in its broader aspects include the provision of a device for ornamental use comprising a base element serving as a setting and an ornament element detachably mounted thereto, said elements being mutually magnetically attractive, said ornament element being provided with an outer ornament surface and an inner surface provided with a raised portion serving an insert means, at least one elongated pin-like projection positioned immediately adjacent said raised portion, said base element having a cavity portion adapted to receive and retain the raised portion insert means of said ornament member, the peripheral area surrounding said cavity portion being provided with at least one pinhole-like opening adapted to receive said projection when said raised portion of the ornament element is inserted into said cavity in the base element, the number of such openings being at least equal to the number of said projections on said ornament element.

The novel aspects of the present invention can be made more apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a top view of a finger ring illustrating one embodimnt of the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a side view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the ornament (side view) and base (cross section) portions separated.

The present invention will now be explained in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views. For purposes of clarity of exposition the ornamental device in question will be described with reference to its utilization in the form of a finger ring of the signet type. However, it will be understood that nothing in the way of limitation is intended to be implied thereby.

The basic elements of the ornamental device comprise a support, base or setting member 4 provided with finger band 7 and ornamental member 1 the latter adapted to be detachably mounted to the base in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, ornamental member 1 bearing signet indicia 1a on its outermost surface is provided with a raised portion 8 serving as an insert member and having a magnetic surface 9 permanently afiixed thereto. Cavity portion 10 in support 4 which serves as a snugly-fitting receptacle for insert member 8 is likewise provided with a surface 11 whereby to permit the establishment of a magnetic couple with respect to surface 9 of insert member 8. Thus, in mounted assembly as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magnetic force extant between the respective cooperating surfaces 9 and 11 serves to retain ornamental member 1 in proper position and alignment. As will be observed by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, ornamental element 1 is further provided with pin-like projections 5 and 5a positioned immediately adjacent raised portion 8. Cooperating pinhole-like openings 6 and 6a provided in the base 4 and specifically in the peripheral area surrounding cavity 10 are positioned to engagedly receive said pin projections thus permitting the ornament element to be securedly and detachably mounted as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this manner there is obtained a stable although temporary union of the respective elements. One of the salient advantages incident to the aforedescribed structural arrangement is at once apparent; namely, ornament removal can be effectively accomplished solely by the application of a purposive force directed outwardly of cavity 10 and oriented substantially in a direction parallel to the axis of the pin projections 5 and 5a. Thus the pin projections greatly minimize any possibility of accidental dislodging of the jewel or ornamental portion. This situation obtains since forces directed angularly with respect to the axis plane of the pin elements will be encountered by a significant resistance resulting from frictional engagement of the pins with the inner vertical walls of the openings engaging same. Thus, the limitations imposed upon the design features of ornamental device-s previously described in the art such as those mentioned hereinbefore are completely avoided. Therefore, ornament elements may be readily employed in the device of the present invention despite the fact that in mounted position an underside thereof is accessible to possible thread snagging or other dislodging influences, the pin-hole means providing the requisite structural stability.

The diameter of the uppermost regions of cavity 11 should, in order to promote ease of assemby be slightly larger than the diameter of the lowermost regions of raised portion 8. In any case, the raised portion and cavity are mating elements and thus their relative size should be selected so as to provide a snugly-fitting relationship. It is not necessary that the cooperating mutually magnetically attractive surfaces 9 and 11 actually come into mutual contact and thus the depth of the raised portion 8 may be somewhat less than that of cavity 10, depending to a great extent upon the strength of the mag netic force. Moreover, it is not necessary that the cavity and raised portion insert means be circular in crosssection; in fact, other shapes may be considered more desirable the sole requirement being that a mating union be readily obtained when positioned in mounted assembly.

The improved structural stability made possible by the present invention may be realized by the use of a single pin-hole cooperating means. In general however, it is preferred that two or more of such means be employed in order to obtain even greater benefits as regards improved structural stability. Should two or more pin-hole cooperating means be employed it is usually preferable that they be disposed symmetrically about the peripheral area surrounding each of the insert and cavity; thus, should two of such means be employed maximum realization of improved structural stability may be obtained by disposing same in diametrically opposed fashion; thus, in the case of circular cavity and raised portion insert, the pin projections will be spaced apart about from each other.

It is likewise not critical to the improvements described herein that the mutually magnetically attractive surfaces be situated in the manner illustrated in the drawing. Ac-

cordingly, the magnetized elements could be suitably disposed along the upstanding vertical walls of cavity in which case the raised portion insert 8 would correspondingly be equipped with a magnetically cooperating material about its circumference. The important consideration in this regard is solely that suitable means be provided whereby to permit the establishment of a magnetic force sufiicient to maintain a fixed union between the ornament and base element.

The length of the projecting pins situated on ornament element 1 is not a particularly critical factor in the practice of the present invention the sole requirement with respect thereto being that they be of length sufiiciently promotive of structural stability. As a practical matter however, it is usually desirable to maintain the pin length slightly in excess of that of the raised portion insert but less than the overall depth of the base portion defining cavity portion 10. In this manner the possibility of interference with the wearer, i.e., scratching or other injurious effects is minimized if not avoided.

This invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments. Thus, it will be understood that the finger ring structure shown in the accompanying drawing is presented solely for purposes of clarity of presentation to illustrate the essential featurs of this invention and is not intended to serve as a working drawing. For example, it will be understood that the curvature of the ring band as well as the bottom surface of that part of the base element defining the cavity can be modified and adjusted to provide a comfortable fitting on the human finger without departing from my inventive comcepts. These and other variations, modifications and equivalents will become obvious to persons skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for ornamental use comprising a base element and an ornament element detachably mounted thereto, said elements being mutually magnetically attractive, said ornament element having an outer ornamental surface and an inner surface provided with a raised portion serving as insert means, at least two elongated pin-like projections positioned immediately adjacent but not directly connected to said raised portion, said base element having a cavity portion having a cavity whereby to alford fitting means for receiving and retaining the raised portion insert means of said ornament member, the peripheral portion surrounding said cavity portion being provided with pinhole-like openings therethrough adapted to receive each of said projections when said raised portion of the ornament element is inserted into said cavity in the base element, said projections being of a length to project beyond that surface of said base element peripheral portion on the side remote fromsaid fitting means but not beyond the innermost portion of said fitting means to minimize interference with the wearer, said base element having means attached thereto for securing said base and ornament elements to a wearer.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said raised portion insert means and said cavity are circular in crosssection.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ornament element is provided with two pin-like projections spaced apart approximately from each other.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is a ring band.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 466,287 12/1891 Berlepsch 6329 1,593,289 7/1926 Colton 63-29 3,139,690 7/ 1964 Hait.

3,168,227 2/1965 Osmond 46-l61 X F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 63-29 

